OPINION: Houses will be flooded if development is allowed

Locals who live in area are genuinely concerned about the impact of this proposal. After doorknocking the area extensively over a two week period, an overwhelming majority of residents who live around the site are not in favour of its advancement.

Block size is one concern, with the developer arguing there is a "need" for small residential blocks in Meringandan. Locals, overwhelmingly, do not agree with this suggestion.

Those of us who live in Meringandan West purchased in the area because we want the area to continue to develop and expand with semi-rural blocks or 1500m2 being the standard block size for the area.

Plans for the new housing development.

The development site is also a main drainage corridor onto Meringandan Creek, which flooded in 2011 and 2013.

Houses will be flooded if this proposal goes ahead and the flood plan recently completed by council mirrors these concerns, with many locals adjoining the site receiving letters saying their properties are now considered to be in a "flood zone".

Insurances for residents in the whole area will increase if this development goes ahead and prospective buyers will have issue getting insurance, if they can get cover at all.

Finally, sewerage collection via heavy tankers will bring trucks into semi-rural streets at least once a day to collect from a sewerage tank which is to be placed right next to Meringandan Creek.

The location of the planned development in Meringandan.

Currently, collection of sewerage by tanker happens daily next to Meringandan State School, because of the tank for Rosalie Gardens Country Estate placed in the school's car park.

Ratepayers should not be burdened with the cost of long-term collection of this manner and the environmental impact of the sewerage tank being compromised if it floods could be catastrophic.

I implore the councillors of Toowoomba Regional Council and those who work in the development department to consider the serious repercussions this development will have on locals and the environment, if it is approved.